More than a year ago, Cupcake owner Kevin Vanderaa abandoned plans to open a Cupcake on St. Paul's Grand Avenue after a protracted battle with neighbors and some city council members about the number of parking stalls required if the shop were to serve alcohol.
Instead, he opened a storefront in the Mall of America.

Kevin VanDeraa, owner of Cupcake, said the issue hits home because some of his staff, as well as himself, are gay.

"We've got several employees that are young and want to get married someday," said VanDeraa.
"They should have every opportunity to do that."

Cupcake employees have "Vote No" bumper stickers on all of their vehicles and use Facebook to spread their message against the amendment.

"People come in cheering us on," VanDeraa said.
"Not just gay people but people in general really appreciate our efforts."

The day after General Mills announced its position against the amendment, Cupcake "stood with them" and donated 100 percent of the proceeds from their signature Betty Crocker cupcake to Minnesotans United for All Families - an organization opposed to the amendment.

"People heard about what we were doing and came in that day, specifically to get the Betty Crocker cupcake," VanDeraa said.
"They wanted to do anything to help."

VanDeraa said Cupcake is always looking to do events and fundraisers to fight the amendment.

"We're standing together to defeat this," he said.

Wilde Roast Café, a restaurant in St. Anthony Main, is another local business that supports LGBT causes in Minneapolis.

The Big Gay Race, a five-kilometer race that raised funds for Minnesotans United, used Wilde Roast Café as its starting point last weekend.

While big corporations like Chick-fil-A have come out against same-sex marriage, VanDeraa said it's more common for local businesses to oppose the amendment or stay neutral.

"I think it's a lot harder for businesses around here to come out and say yes to the amendment," VanDeraa said.

Kevin Vanderaa, owner of Cupcake in Minneapolis, has called it quits on his Grand Avenue bakery and wine bar, which was to open in March.He said he no longer has the time or money to fight.

"It makes me really sad and angry because the neighborhood was totally jazzed about it, and it was a good thing for the economy and for Grand Avenue," Vanderaa said.
"But apparently Cupcake was not good enough for the Summit Hill Association."

Vanderaa signed a lease in July to open in the former Wonderment Toy Store, between Lexington Parkway and Dale Street.